Christine Wong  

Happy Vaisakhi Day by Christine Wong

May 2026 - Happy Vaisakhi Day

About the Image(s)

Captured during the Vaisakhi Day celebrations in Surrey, British Columbia, this April, this image aims to convey both the immense scale of the gathering and the intimate joy found in individual moments. The event drew nearly 500,000 attendees and featured hundreds of stalls offering free vegetarian food alongside live performances. Through this photograph, I hope that a single expression of warmth can stand out amid the complexity of such a vast public celebration. By layering the vibrant colors of traditional turbans against the urban landscape, I also sought to reflect the harmonious integration of heritage, identity, and community belonging—even without any visible text or signage in the frame.
Canon EOS R10 Mark ii with 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS | Contemporary
Setting: F11, 1/160 sec, ISO 100, @ 64mm
Photo Date: Apr 18, 2026

2 comments posted

Jen Fawkes   Jen Fawkes
Hello Christine, I think you have achieved what you set out to do with this image. I can see a huge crowd of people that nicely blur into the background that gives us a hint of the location, although I am surprised you have so much blur at f11.
I do like the expression on the woman in the front, but I do wish that her eyes were open, as well as that delightful expression of joy on her face. In addition the front people are also interesting characters that add to the story without losing the main subject. Your front subjects are nice and sharp, and the colors are terrific.   Posted: 05/17/2026 16:44:19
Leslie Larson   Leslie Larson
OMG...the numbers are amazing. Until I read your description, I thought we were in India. I had no idea there are so many east Asians in BC, but the mountains in the distance give it away. Colors great. Do wish the bright white tents on the left weren't quite so bright, they distract a little from the throng.   Posted: 05/17/2026 18:34:39

 

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